What You Need to Know About Sleeping Pills
We all know that sleep is a vital aspect of our overall health and well-being. However, many of us struggle with sleep issues and some of us turn to sleeping pills as a solution. However, did you know that sleeping pills are among the most addictive prescription drugs available today?
While they promise a quick fix for insomnia and restless nights, they come with a host of risks and side effects that are often overlooked
In the latest episode of the Sleep Like a Boss podcast, I was joined by Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett , a neurologist trained at Stanford, to discuss the limitations of sleeping pills and alternative approaches to achieving restful sleep.
Dr. Scott shared her expertise on the subject, providing valuable insights into the hidden causes of sleep problems and the importance of addressing them for long-term health.
The Limitations of Sleeping Pills
While sleeping pills may provide temporary relief, they do not address the underlying issues causing sleep disturbances.
Now, to comprehend the drawbacks of sleeping pills, it is essential to understand the stages of sleep and their significance. Dr. Barrett explained that our brain goes through specific sleep stages, including deep sleep and REM sleep, each serving a distinct purpose.
These stages allow the brain to clean out toxins, consolidate memory, and process emotions. What sleeping pills do is they disrupt this natural sleep cycle, preventing the brain from performing these crucial functions.
There are three main classes of medications commonly used:
hypnotics,
benzodiazepines, and
other medications like Amitriptyline or Trazodone.
Hypnotics work by shutting off the frontal lobes of the brain, similar to anesthesia. Benzodiazepines act on the GABA receptors in the brain, which can help manage anxiety but are also addictive. Other medications are often used to treat pain in addition to sleep issues.
The main problem with sleeping medications is that they interfere with the brain's natural sleep cycles. These medications may make you feel like you're sleeping, but they actually alter the brain's electrical activity during sleep, preventing it from going through the necessary stages of sleep, including deep sleep and REM sleep.
Deep sleep is crucial for the brain's cleaning process, memory consolidation, and emotional processing. Without proper deep sleep, the brain cannot effectively clean out toxins like beta amyloid, which can contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Sleeping pills can disrupt this important process.
As you can see, sleeping pills are not a long-term solution for chronic sleep problems. While they may provide temporary relief, they do not address the underlying causes of sleep issues. The importance of making lifestyle changes and addressing factors like stress, anxiety, unresolved trauma, and pain to improve sleep quality was emphasized.
“The main problem with sleeping medications is that they interfere with the brain’s natural sleep cycles. They make you feel like you’re sleeping, but they’re preventing deep sleep and REM sleep.”
The Hidden Causes of Insomnia
Dr. Barrett also identified various factors that contribute to insomnia, including stress, anxiety, unresolved trauma, and pain.
She emphasized that modern life, with its demanding schedules and constant stimulation, often leads to sleep disturbances. Moreover, she highlighted the impact of chronic stress on sleep and overall health, urging all of us to prioritize stress reduction as a means of improving sleep quality.
What is the Solution
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for sleep problems, Dr. Barrett believes firmly in the importance of individualized approaches. She acknowledges that each person's sleep issues are unique and require personalized strategies. By working with professionals like sleep coaches, we can identify the specific blocks preventing restful sleep and develop tailored solutions.
Dr. Barrett also touched on the role of sleep tracking devices in understanding sleep patterns. While these devices are not as accurate as sleep lab tests, they can provide valuable insights into sleep quality and help you identify trends and patterns. But, keep in mind that you should be using sleep trackers as a tool for self-awareness rather than as a measure of success or failure.
f you want to learn more about Dr Barrett and her work, connect with her on Instagram @ameliascottbarrettmd.
In addition, Dr Barrett was kind enough to offer her latest free ebook called "The Stress Detector". It offers access to lab testing without a doctor's order, as well as novel solutions to reducing the impact of stress on your body.
